177-10002-10070) | 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 |
JFK Assassination System Date: 8/26/201
Identification Form

Agency Information
AGENCY:  LBJ
RECORD NUMBER: — 177-10002-10070
RECORD SERIES: NSF, COUNTRY FILE, MEXICO, LOPEZ MATEOS VISIT, BOX 61
AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: STATE
FROM: DEAN RUSK
TO: THE PRESIDENT

TITLE:

DATE: 02/18/1964
PAGES: 5

SUBJECTS :
NEED SUBJECT ASSIGNED

DOCUMENT TYPE: MEMORANDUM
CLASSIFICATION: — Unclassified
RESTRICTIONS: 1B; 4
: CURRENT STATUS: = Redact
DATE OF LAST REVIEW: — 04/21/1998

OPENING CRITERIA : r

COMMENTS : DOC. #10

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Pa SO, February 18, 1964

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT OP.

Subject: Your Meeting with President Lopez Mateos 0%

We do not expect to make any major political decisions
but want to give new emphasis to the friendly relations
which exsist between Mexico and the United States. These
relations are now at an all-time high. Mexico felt it had
a real friend in President Kennedy, They feel the same
relationship exsists with you but want to be reassured.

A warm Texas handshake and abrazo when you greet Lopez Mateos
at Los Angeles would symbolize the continuance of that
relationship. oo Po Peat!

We want to stress the identity of interests of our

two countries and sour ability to work out in the "spirit
of El Chamizal" any problems: that may arise between us.

Despite the informal atmosphere of the visit, we

should give scrupulous attention to Mexico's extreme

sensitivity on sovereign equality and Mexico's strong
desire to avoid any appearance of subservience to. the
United States ne a Pe

A

~Lopez Mateos speaks for the Mexican Government

and no important decision is made without his approval.
He‘has followed an "independent" foreign policy but

knows that good relations with us, especially in the
economic sphere, are essential to his country... At. times
his foreign policy has-been too. independent*-for |”
example-on Cuba and in'’commercial and cultural rela-

tions with Communist China. But when fundamental issues 3
are at stake we have usually found him understanding

and willing to be helpful--controlling travel of
Castro’ agents, non-recognition of Red China, offering
help on Panama. Ae a _

'... Lopez Mateos has chosen his successor, Gustavo DIAZ
Ordaz, who Will take office in December 1964 after

elections in July. Power is therefore drifting toward

Diaz Ordaz.

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by: Robert M. Sayre

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~?-

Enclosed is a paper on points which it is suggested ~
you raise at the meeting, and those which it is believed
Lopez Mateos will raise.

Dean Rusk

Enclosure:

‘Paper on points to be
raised at meeting.

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MAJOR POINTS OF INTEREST. TO THE UNITED STATES _
~~ . . count tyre
1. General Information and Hemisphere Relations

We-desite to continue élose working relations with
- Mexico both within and outside the OAS and the UN,-..

“Ly plie:Bope Mexico will continueto use its key political
. and geographic position to help control Castro Communism.
Mexico is ver Sensitive about publi er earenba ie

control measures,
res

Mexico has offered its assistance on Panama. Mexico
.is not aware of the role of President Orlich of Costa Rica
in mediation efforts and we do not
Mexico's attention. We welcome Mexico's assistance within
an OAS context. — Soe,

2s Red China |

The coming visit of De Gaulle to Mexico and Brazil in
March has prompted speculation that. these two countriés
are about to recognize Red China. “Lopez Mateos has given
uS Secret assurances, through CIA channels, that he has
no intention of recognizing Red China. We do not _désire
to raise this issue, but. if Lopez Mateos raises it, we
shou et him know we are aware of his assurances, _

3.

lliance for Progress

Mexico's Role in the:

oe Mexico's participation in the Alliance is essential

to its success, Mexico has played a leading role in TA-
ECOSOC and ‘has ‘named the Directer General of the Bank of
Mexico as its representative to CIAP. . It has cooperated ..
with us in .providing extensive training facilities for
Latin’ American technicians. © We want to encourage Mexico to
make a greater contribution. Mexico is making renewed efforts
to promote private enterprise and we also want to encourage
Mexico along this line. We should continue to cooperate
with Mexico in maintaining financial Stability and promoting
economic development. Cos

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4, Disputed Tracts on Rio Grande

There remain several tracts on the Rio Grande over
which sovereignty is in dispute, We desire to have the
International Boundary and Water Commission study these
probléms and recommend a solution.

5; Control of Narcoties

Mexico and the United States are cooperating in
controlling the importation of narcotics and dangerous
drugs into the United States. We should strengthen this
cooperation in the mutual interest of both countries. We
; : hope therefore that Mexico will agree to periodic meetings
-of the highest law enforcement officers of the two countries.

6. Desalinization Plant _at Tijuana

An appraisal report by Interior shows that this is
the most economical way to supply water to Tijuana. We
are prepared to go ahead with a feasibility study if
Mexico desire and will share the cost.

MAJOR POINTS LOPEZ MATEOS IS EXPECTED TO RAISE

1. Salinity Problem on Lower Colorado

The Mexican President wants a reaffirmation of
President Kennedy's commitment "to reach a permanent and
effective solution at the earliest possible time" of the
salinity problem. We can agree but should avoid any commit-
ment on.timing. If Lopez Mateos raises the related problem
of the groundwater recovery program at Yuma, we agree that
the Boundary Commission should study the problem. Farmers
in the lower Rio Grande Valley are seriously con¢ernéd
about saline drainage discharged to the river by Mexico and
want the Boundary Commission to achieve an early solution. to
this problem.

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BY tiont tu. hecyte. Mich)

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2. Bracero Program

The Mexican Government is privately seriously
disturbed about the termination of this program,
Congressional oppostion to it is strong and we cannot
commit ourselves to continue the program. We are” looking
into ‘thepro i anything can be done to help
Mexico. One possibility is an expanded community develop-
ment program in Mexico through private channels (P.L. 480
foodstuffs through U.S. voluntary agencies) if Mexico is
interested. ;

3. Mexico's Concern about U.S. Trade Policies

Mexico is concerned about United States restrictions
or threatened restrictions on textiles, lead, zinc and
meat and other products and United States cotton policies
which it claims hurt Mexican cotton exports to the world
market. We recognize that we are natural markets for
_ @ach other. We desire to expand trade, promote competi-
tion and develop markets. We want to maintain or expand the
present level of access to each other's market but we would
not be able to guarantee Mexico its present share of our

4. Chamizal Settlement

Lopez Mateos wants to be recorded in history as the
man who returned **e Mexican flag to the Chamizai. He
wants a ceremony gt the Presidential level at El Paso-
Ciudad Juarez before December 1964 to symbolize the Chamizal
settlement. We should only agree to consult later in the
year on an appropriate céremony and a possibile date.

SECRET

i Drafted by: Cleared by: .
: ARA:MEX:RMSayre ARA - Mr. Mann
2 Interior - Mr. Carr

Mr. Lanning
Labor - Mr. Goodwin
Treasury - Mr, Giordano
E - Mr. Johnson
FE ~ Mr. Green
‘L=- Mr. Kearne

oF A oe aR OvORU TP Aner one ty REPS

Am me BPR BN gnan Sata ED oo Om

. §/S-S Hawthorne Mills

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